ZTP RAN server with a virtual Cell Site Router

Abstract

A zero-touch provision Radio Access Network Distributed Unit (DU) server for a remote cell site that uses a Network Interface Card (NIC) to function temporarily as a Cell Site Router (CSR) to establish a connection with a central database to download BIOS/Operating System to boot the DU server, wherein once the DU server is booted, software executes that boots up a virtual CSR (vCSR). Once the vCSR is up and running, the vCSR reprograms the NIC to perform offloading networking tasks from the DU server CPU to a network processing unit (NPU) on the NIC. The NPU is designed to handle networking tasks such as packet encryption, packet classification, packet filtering, load balancing, and security features.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for booting up a Distributed Unit (DU) server located at a cell site location, the DU server connected to network infrastructure at the cell site location, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a programmable Network Interface Card (NIC) connectable to a network to establish router functionality in the DU server, wherein the NIC is provided for facilitating a connection between the DU server and a remote computer via the network;   the DU server and the NIC are powered up;   the DU server initializing the network infrastructure at the cell site location;   the NIC operating as a basic CSR to provide a connection between the DU server and the remote computer via the network;   the DU server executing software saved on a storage accessible by the DU server, the software comprising a virtual Cell Site Router (vCSR), the vCSR establishing a connection between the DU server and the remote computer;   wherein, after the vCSR has taken over router functions for the DU server, software executes on the DU server reprograming the NIC to provide assisted acceleration for Internet Protocol Security (IPSec) encryption or signal processing offloading by the NIC or both.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
 the NIC is programmed to function as a basic CSR to facilitate Zero Touch Provisioning (ZTP); and   after ZTP is complete, the NIC is reprogrammed to function as an offload engine.   
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein when the NIC begins functioning as a router on power up, the DU server downloads Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) configs or Operating System (OS) data for both from the remote computer. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein once the BIOS configs or the OS data or both are downloaded from the remote computer, the DU server boots up to an operational mode and container/virtualization services are started on the DU server. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein after virtualization services are started on the DU server, the vCSR and DU applications boot up and reach an operational state after which the NIC is reprogrammed. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein any subsequent boot ups of the DU server will be via OS bootup. 
     
     
         7 . A system for booting up equipment at a cell site location comprising:
 a Distributed Unit (DU) server connected to a storage and to network infrastructure at the cell site location;   a programmable Network Interface Card (NIC) connected to the DU server and connectable to a network;   wherein, when the DU server and the NIC are powered up, the DU server initializes the network infrastructure at the cell site location and the NIC establishes a connection between the DU server and a remote computer via the network;   software executing on the DU server comprising a virtual Cell Site Router (vCSR) that establishes a connection between the DU server and the remote computer via the network;   wherein, once the vCSR has taken over router functions for the DU server, the software executing on the DU server reprograms the NIC to provide assisted acceleration for Internet Protocol Security (IPSec) encryption or signal processing offloading by the NIC or both.   
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 7 , wherein said NIC facilitates Zero Touch Provisioning (ZTP), and after ZTP is complete, the NIC is reprogrammed to function as an offload engine. 
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 7 , wherein when the NIC begins functioning as a basic CSR on power up, the DU server downloads Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) configs or Operating System (OS) data for both from the remote computer. 
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 9 , wherein once the BIOS configs or the OS data or both are downloaded from the remote computer, the DU server boots up to an operational mode and container/virtualization services are started on the DU server. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein after virtualization services are started on the DU server, the vCSR and DU applications boot up and reach an operational state, after which the NIC is reprogrammed. 
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 11 , wherein any subsequent boot ups of the DU server will be via OS bootup.